Satisfactory Coal Generator Guide: How to Make Compacted Coal, Bug Fixes, & more

The Coal Generator in Satisfactory plays a crucial role in player progression, especially when starting a new game after Update 1.0. Generally, it delivers dependable and effective power by using different materials. Here we'll cover everything you need to know about the coal generator in Satisfactory 1.0, including how to deal with a recent bug, its crafting requirements, and plenty more!

Satisfactory Coal Generator Requirements, Fuel Sources, Recipes, & More

The Coal Generator in Satisfactory is the first fully automated power generator a player can access in the game. One generator unit requires 20x Reinforced Iron Plate, 10x Rotor, and 30x Cable to craft, and produce 75 MW at 100% clock speed. Other stats worth mentioning for this building are the following:

• Inputs: 1x Pipeline and 1x Conveyor
• Overclockable: Yes
• Width: 10m
• Length: 26m
• Height: 36m
• Area: 260m2
• Crafted from: Build Gun

The advantages of using the Coal Generator include its scalability and reasonably high power output. Pioneers may also cluster multiple Coal Generators to increase productivity and power output. However, beginners and veterans should note that this power generator has some shortcomings, such as its requirement for constant fuel. Nonetheless, players can strategically control the output from their Coal Generators, allowing them to plan for future energy sources and promote factory expansion.

Fuel Sources

As mentioned earlier, the Coal Generator requires fuel to run. Pioneers can use Coal, Compacted Coal, or Petroleum Coke to provide power to this generator. You can find additional information about each material below:

Coal

• Energy: 300 MJ
• Stack Size: 100
• Stack Energy: 30,000 MJ
• Burn Time: 4 sec
• Burnt Items: 15 per min
• How to Get: Use the Miner Building to extract 1x Coal per min.

Compacted Coal

• Energy: 630 MJ
• Stack Size: 100
• Stack Energy: 63,000 MJ
• Burn Time: 8.4 sec
• Burnt Items: 7.14 per min
• How to Get: Unlock the crafting recipe through the Sulfur Research chain in the MAM by using 1x Hard Drive. Then, use 5x Coal and 5x Sulfur to craft 5x Compacted Coal at the Assembler.

Petroleum Coke

• Energy: 180 MJ
• Stack Size: 200
• Stack Energy: 36,000 MJ
• Burn Time: 2.4 sec
• Burnt Items: 25 per min
• How to Get: Use 4x Heavy Oil Residue at the Refinery to craft 12x Petroleum Coke.

Automation

Over time, managing a large factory can be a daunting task, especially without automation. Thankfully, automation is a key feature in Satisfactory, and it’s also possible with regards to supplying Coal Generators with constant fuel. In particular, the typical Coal Generator setup is by connecting it to a Miner attached to a Coal node. However, the speed and power produced generally depends on various factors. Here’s an overview of Coal Generators generating power from different Miner variants mining Pure Coal:

Mk. 1 Miner

• Coal per Min: 120
• Water Extractor Requirements at 100%: 3
• Water Extractor Requirements at 75%: 4
• Water Used: 360 m3 per min
• Number of Coal Generators: 8
• Gross Power Generated: 600 MW

Mk. 2 Miner

• Coal per Min: 240
• Water Extractor Requirements at 100%: 6
• Water Extractor Requirements at 75%: 8
• Water Used: 720
• Number of Coal Generators: 16
• Gross Power Generated: 1,200 MW

Mk. 3 Miner

• Coal per Min: 480
• Water Extractor Requirements at 100%: 12
• Water Extractor Requirements at 75%: 16
• Water Used: 1,440
• Number of Coal Generators: 32
• Gross Power Generated: 2,400 MW

Note that the produced values are reduced when using Normal or Impure Coal. In particular, the values drop by 50% when using Normal Coal and 75% with Impure Coal. Although the Coal burned per minute will be reduced, the gross power generated will also decrease.

Overclocking

Overclocking a Coal Generator is possible by using a Power Shard. Note that the Power Shard (1) is unlockable through the Power Slugs Research chain in the MAM. Then, use 1x Blue Power Slug at the Constructor to craft 1x Power Shard. It’s also important to mention that you also need the Power Slugs Research unlocked to use the Blue Power Slug. An overclocked Coal Generator improves its power production. However, doing so also increases the fuel and water consumption rate.

Coal Generator Bug in Update 1.0 (And How to Fix It)

Some players have reported that the Coal Generator in Satisfactory isn't taking Coal. The issue occurs when configuring the power generator, but the building won't accept the fuel ingredient. Until a hotfix is released, players can solve this issue by opening and closing the UI of the Coal Generator. Otherwise, saving and loading the session may fix the problem, albeit temporarily.